Partnerships
Churches
Community Housing can help your church or church support
organisation investigate a possible housing partnership with
government that meets the housing needs of those on low incomes or
marginalised in some way in your community.
If you are a Pastor, Minister or Priest, a Manager of a Church
Agency, Congregational Leader, or member of a management
committee, we can help you in a number of ways:
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We can assist you with information on identified needs in your area, and put you in contact those who can help you target your housing project to those in most need. |
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We can help you negotiate with government at a State and local level to develop the parameters of a project you are interested in. |
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We can provide you with information on best practice principles and methods. |
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We can link you with other Churches, organisations or groups in your area to explore the possibilities of running a project. |
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We can provide information on the funding opportunities available to you, assist you in the development of funding submissions and negotiate the often complex maze of government. |
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We can provide you with examples and advice about how best to utilise your property or land. |
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We can show you examples of what has worked in the past. |
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We can assist you with training and in developing your own local management team. |
The National Rental Affordability Scheme was introduced by the Federal Government to increase the number of new properties available for rent in Australia.
The goal is to provide an additional 50,000 new accommodation units over the next 5 years, with a possibility of a further 50,000 beyond that.
In very simple terms, for each newly constructed rental dwelling, the Federal & State government will provide a grant of $8,000 per year (for 10 years). In return, the owner must rent out the house to eligible tenants at a 20% discount.
The main eligibility criterion for tenants is household income. If their income is below the following limits, then you may be eligible to affordable housing.
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Household Types |
Annual Income Limit (gross, before tax) |
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Single person |
$40,501 |
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Couple/Sole parent (up to 1 child) |
$55,991 |
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Couple/Sole parent (2 children) |
$69,423 |
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Couple/Sole parent (3 + children) |
$82,855 |
Churches reach out to their local communities in many ways. Whether it is caring for the sick, the elderly, the down-trodden—churches are often at the forefront of reaching out.
Over recent years, the cost of housing has increased dramatically. Home ownership was once seen as a goal for all Australians—but now, the goal seems beyond the reach of many. The alternative to home ownership is to rent.
A number of other factors have also played a significant role in increasing the number of Australian households needing accommodation—and in turn pushing up the average cost of house prices and rents for all Australians. As rents increase, it is those on lower incomes that suffer most.
Housing Affordability is at a record low and housing stress is no longer limited to those on the lowest incomes. Should churches respond to this need? I believe that the answer to this question is obvious. The next question is —Can churches respond to this need?
A number of churches are already participating in NRAS or are very interested in participating. Others are investigating other ways of helping to house the needy, such as community housing partnerships.
For churches (or church groups) that have vacant land, then it is possible to create new housing, with little or no outlay of capital. Title in the land remains unchanged. The key restrictions are that the property must participate in the scheme for 10 years.
In many cases, the project will even generate positive cash flow in the first or second year, over and above loan repayments.
Churches are responding to housing affordability in a number of ways.
Some are choosing to focus on the elderly in the community, others to young families that are struggling to afford to live close to their work.
In some cases, the churches are undertaking the development themselves, in others, partnerships are created with interested developers.
If you believe that this is something that your church would like to investigate and possibly participate in, then please contact us.
CCHL currently has the following rental properties that will be participating in the National Rental Affordability Scheme.
28 brand new quality apartments in the heart of Gosford.
Located centrally in Mann St, the units feature the following:
· Quality kitchens (with dishwasher)
· Ensuite to main
· Air conditioned
· Undercover parking
· 28 apartments available (2 and 3 bedrooms)
· 50 brand new quality apartments located in Polding St Smithfield.